Auckland Grammar School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auckland Grammar School |
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The school is built in Spanish Mission style architecture.
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| Address | |
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Mountain Road, Epsom
, 1023
New Zealand
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| Coordinates | 36°52′9″S 174°46′10″E / 36.86917°S 174.76944°E |
| Information | |
| Other names |
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| Type | State, day and boarding secondary school |
| Motto | Latin: Per Angusta ad Augusta (Through difficulties to greatness) |
| Established | 1869 |
| Sister school | Epsom Girls' Grammar School |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 54 |
| Chairman | Mark Sandelin |
| Headmaster | Tim O'Connor |
| Years | 9–13 |
| Gender | Boys |
| School roll | 2,664 (February 2024) |
| Colour(s) | Navy blue and gold |
| Socio-economic decile | 9 |
Auckland Grammar School, often called Auckland Grammar or just Grammar, is a school for boys in Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a state school, meaning it's funded by the government. Students can attend as day students or live at the school as boarders. It teaches boys from Year 9 to Year 13.
The school first opened in 1869. It was originally on Howe Street, where Auckland Girls Grammar School is now. In 1916, it moved to its current location on Mountain Road in Epsom. In 2020, Auckland Grammar had 2,606 students. This made it the third largest school in New Zealand. The current headmaster, Tim O’Connor, started in 2012. He received a special award called the Blake Leader Award in 2007.
Contents
- Discovering Auckland Grammar's Past
- The Architecture of Auckland Grammar
- How Students Join Auckland Grammar
- Academic Success at Auckland Grammar
- The School Song
- Headmasters of Auckland Grammar
- Leaders of the School Board
- Famous People Who Went to Auckland Grammar
- Notable Staff at Auckland Grammar
- See Also
Discovering Auckland Grammar's Past
Auckland Grammar School was first planned in 1850. This was done by Sir George Grey, who was the Governor of New Zealand at the time. Sir George Grey also helped start other schools in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. These include Whanganui Collegiate School and Grey College.
Auckland Grammar was officially recognized as a school in 1868. It opened its doors in 1869 with 78 boys. At first, the school was paid for by private money. New Zealand did not have a state education system until 1877.
The school grew quickly, so it moved twice in the 1870s. In 1880, it moved to Symonds Street and stayed there for 35 years. Today, the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture is on that site. During an economic tough time in the 1880s, girls from Girls High School joined the school. It was then called Auckland College and Grammar School. In 1909, Auckland Girls Grammar School opened. This meant Auckland Grammar School became an all-boys school again. In 1916, the school moved to its current home on Mountain Road. The Governor General, Arthur Foljambe, opened the new site.
The buildings at Auckland Grammar School are very important. Two of them are listed as Category I historic places. These are the main school building and a war memorial. The old janitor's house is a Category II historic place. In front of the school, there is a tall stone monument. It remembers students who fought in different wars. The main school building was built in 1916. It has a special look called Spanish Mission style. It is used for daily meetings and has classrooms. The names of the school's best students are listed on boards around the main hall.
In the early 1900s, prisoners from the nearby Mount Eden Prison helped build the 1916 school building. They worked at stone quarries next to the school. These quarries later became sports fields for Auckland Grammar School. This helped the school after it lost its main rugby field to a motorway.
The school also owns a place called VentureLodge in Ohakune. This is in the central North Island. Students use it for school camps.
The school's motto is in Latin: Per Angusta ad Augusta. This means "Through difficulties to greatness". The school also translates it as "Through rough ravines to hallowed heights." The motto was a common saying when the school was founded.
A TV show about the school, called Grammar Boys, was shown in July 2005 on TV3.
The Architecture of Auckland Grammar
The main school building was built in 1916. It was designed by Arnold & Abbott, an architectural company. This building and the caretaker's house next to it are built in the Spanish Mission style. After the main building was finished, three smaller buildings were added in the same style. These included the library, the gym, and a toilet block.
In the 1950s, a large science building was built. It was made in a modern style. Later, in the early 1970s, another concrete building was added. A big new gym was built between the 1920s gym and this new building. The Prime Minister at the time, Robert Muldoon, opened it.
Near the old Spanish Mission-style library, there is the Centennial Theatre, opened in 1969, and the swimming pool. A motorway was built in the 1960s, which took some of the school's land. Between the 1970s and 2015, many temporary classrooms were built. These were needed because more students were joining the school. Most of these have now been removed. New sports fields were made in two old quarries because the school lost some playing space. Each field has a sports pavilion.
Between 2014 and 2015, the old toilet block was taken down. A new building with classrooms was built in its place.
For the school's 150th anniversary, a big project called Te Ara Matauranga is planned. This will include a new library, swimming pool, and study block. It is expected to cost $13.5 million.
How Students Join Auckland Grammar
In the past, students had to pass tests to get into the school. Since the 1960s, the school has had a "zone." This means students living in a certain area get first choice to attend. Also, brothers of current students who live outside the zone can get in.
The school believes that having a zone makes house prices higher in that area. This can make it harder for students from less wealthy families to attend. Research shows that houses in the school zone can cost about 30 percent more. In 2014, two nearby schools tried to make their zones overlap with Auckland Grammar's. But parents in those areas were against it. They worried it might make Auckland Grammar's zone smaller and affect their home values.
Auckland Grammar asks for a voluntary donation from families. This donation is one of the highest for a state school in New Zealand. In 2014, the school asked for $1,050 per student each year. The school says this high donation helps make up for less government funding compared to other schools. For example, Epsom Girls' Grammar School, a similar school for girls, asks for $665.
Students from other countries who want to study at Auckland Grammar are tested on their English. Some might need to take an intensive English course first. These international students pay the highest tuition fees in New Zealand state schools, over $20,000 each year.
Academic Success at Auckland Grammar
Auckland Grammar School follows the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), which is the national plan for education.
Student Results
In 2015, many students leaving Auckland Grammar achieved high levels of education.
- 95.1 percent of students achieved at least NCEA Level 1 or IGCSE.
- 91.6 percent achieved at least NCEA Level 2 or AS level.
- 81.5 percent achieved at least NCEA Level 3 or A level.
These results are much higher than the national averages for boys.
A magazine called Metro reported in 2011 that Auckland Grammar's academic results are similar to many private schools. The school also does very well in the National Scholarship exams. In 2016, the Education Review Office said the school continued to help students achieve great results. In 2019, it was ranked seventh among New Zealand schools for getting students into top universities.
NCEA and Cambridge Exams
The previous headmaster, John Morris, did not agree with the NCEA system. Because of this, the school started offering Cambridge International Examinations in 2002. More talented students could take these exams, including IGCSE, AS Level, and A2 exams. Other students still took NCEA exams. Students in Cambridge classes could switch to NCEA, but it was not encouraged. Over the years, most students were encouraged to take Cambridge exams.
The school was also cautious about the New Zealand Scholarship. It only encouraged the very best students to try for it. Despite this, Auckland Grammar had the most scholarships of any school in New Zealand in 2006.
In 2008, an Education Review Office report stated that Auckland Grammar was one of the top-performing schools in New Zealand. This was based on results from national and international exams. From 2011, all Year 11 students took the Cambridge IGCSE program. In 2019, the school changed its approach again. It replaced all external exams for Year 11 students with its own "Pre-Q" qualification. This was in response to changes planned for NCEA Level 1 exams. The school said Pre-Q would be "more rigorous than IGCSE."
The School Song
The school song was first sung in March 1955. The words were written in 1954 by L. W. A. Crawley. He was a senior Classics teacher at Auckland University College, now the University of Auckland. The song has two verses in Latin and includes the school motto. It is sung to the tune of a German hymn called "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God").
Headmasters of Auckland Grammar
Here are the people who have been the headmaster of Auckland Grammar School:
| Period | Headmaster |
|---|---|
| 1869–1870 | Dr Robert Boyd Kidd |
| 1871–1882 | Farquhar Macrae |
| 1882–1892 | Charles Frederick Bourne |
| 1893–1922 | James William Tibbs CMG |
| 1922–1928 | James Drummond |
| 1928–1935 | Harold James Del Monte Mahon |
| 1935–1954 | Colin McGregor Littlejohn |
| 1954–1972 | Sir Henry Cooper CBE |
| 1973–1993 | Sir John Graham KNZM CBE |
| 1994–2012 | John Morris ONZM |
| 2012–present | Tim O'Connor B.Ed |
Leaders of the School Board
These people have been the Chairman of the Board of Governors or the Board of Trustees for Auckland Grammar School:
| Period | Chairman of the Board of Governors |
|---|---|
| 1869–1872 | John Williamson |
| 1872–1879 | Hon. Mr. Thomas Gillies |
| 1879–1880 | Sir John Logan Campbell |
| 1880–1916 | Hon. Sir George Maurice O'Rorke |
| 1916–1937 | Prof. Sir Algernon Thomas |
| 1937–1940 | Dr. E. Robertson |
| 1940–1948 | Hon. Mr. Justice Stanton |
| 1948–1951 | Victor Macky |
| 1951–1952 | Hon. Sir Leslie Munro |
| 1952–1969 | D. Sumner |
| 1969 | Assoc. Prof. B.F. Harris |
| 1970–1975 | Maxwell Rae Grierson |
| 1975–1984 | N. Barclay |
| 1984–1985 | R.V. Eades |
| 1985 | Prof. D.I.B. Smith |
| Period | Chairman of the Board of Trustees |
|---|---|
| 1984–1992 | B.F. Connell |
| 1992–1997 | Prof. Alastair MacCormick |
| 1998–2009 | Dr. Robert B. Kirkpatrick |
| 2009–2019 | A. Jeff Blackburn |
| 2019–present | Mark Sandelin |
Famous People Who Went to Auckland Grammar
Many notable people have attended Auckland Grammar School. Here are some of them:
Academia (Teachers and Researchers)
- Norman Lowther Edson – professor
- Denis Feeney – professor
- Raymond Firth – ethnologist (studies cultures)
- Dave Gerrard – sports doctor and former Olympic swimmer
- Keith Hunter – ocean chemist
- Vaughan Jones – mathematician
- Hugh Kāwharu – Māori scholar
- Richard Cockburn Maclaurin – physicist and president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Colin Maiden – engineer and university leader
- Joseph Peart – army officer and Headmaster of King's College, Auckland
- John Reid – professor
- Terry Sturm – professor of English
The Arts (Actors, Artists, Musicians)
- Walter Armiger Bowring – painter and cartoonist
- Russell Crowe – actor and film producer
- Gerald Garrick Cunningham – author and photographer
- Les Gibbard – political cartoonist
- Max Gimblett – artist
- Charles Frederick Goldie – artist
- Zane Lowe – DJ and TV presenter
- James McNeish – writer
- Andrew Niccol – screenwriter and director
- Graeme Revell – musician and composer
- Tony Hung – Hong Kong actor
- Campbell Thomas – theatre director
Broadcasting (TV and Radio)
- John Hawkesby – news presenter
Business (Company Leaders)
- Uluomato'otua Aiono – entrepreneur
- John Buchanan – scientist and director
- Ron Carter – businessman
- Richard Chandler – investor
- Ernest Davis – businessman
- James Fletcher Jnr – industrialist
- Terry Jarvis – cricket player and sales representative
- Ian Narev – chief executive of SEEK and former Commonwealth Bank leader
Literature (Writers and Poets)
- A. R. D. Fairburn – poet
- R. A. K. Mason – poet
- John Mulgan – writer and journalist
Military (Soldiers)
- Cyril Bassett – Victoria Cross Recipient (a very brave soldier)
- Ray Hanna – fighter pilot
- Leslie Potter – WW2 Commander
Public Service (Politicians and Judges)
- Alfred E. Allen – politician
- David Baragwanath – lawyer and judge
- Thomas Bavin – Premier of New South Wales (Australia)
- Francis Bell – lawyer and Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Wayne Brown – Mayor of Auckland
- Edward Caradus – chemist and educator
- Jonathan Coleman – politician
- Roger Douglas – politician and Minister of Finance
- Israel Goldstine – politician and lawyer
- Doug Graham – politician
- Eric Halstead – politician
- Kenneth Hayr – Royal Air Force commander
- Jonathan Hunt – politician and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Kenneth Keith – judge
- George Laking – diplomat
- Sam Lotu-Iiga – Member of Parliament
- David Seymour – politician, Member of Parliament
- Gaurav Sharma – politician, Member of Parliament
- Douglas Maclean – farmer and Member of Parliament
- Duncan McMullin – judge
- Leslie Munro – lawyer, journalist, and politician
- Avery Ng – Hong Kong politician
- Lockwood Smith – politician, diplomat and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Graham Speight – High Court judge
- Bob Tizard – Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
Science (Scientists)
- Raoul Franklin – physicist
- Peter Gluckman – scientist
- Matthew Hunter – metallurgist and inventor
- Graham Liggins – medical scientist
Sport (Athletes)
As of 2015, Auckland Grammar has produced the most All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team) of any school in New Zealand. Over 50 former students have become All Blacks.
- Ben Atiga – All Blacks player
- Ces Badeley – All Blacks player
- Vic Badeley – All Blacks player
- Mark Burgess – cricketer
- Hamish Carter – triathlete
- Jeff Crowe – cricketer
- Martin Crowe – cricketer
- John Drake – All Blacks player
- Lockie Ferguson – cricketer
- Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu – Samoan rugby player
- Grant Fox – All Blacks player
- Aaron Gate – racing cyclist
- Edmund Hillary – mountaineer (first to climb Mount Everest)
- Doug Howlett – rugby player
- Konrad Hurrell – rugby league player
- Akira Ioane – All Blacks player
- Rieko Ioane – All Blacks player
- Kyle Jamieson – Cricketer
- Colin Latimour – New Zealand footballer
- Cameron Mather – Scottish rugby player
- John (Joe) Mills – All Blacks player
- James Neesham – cricketer
- Dion Nash – cricketer
- Matthew Ridge – TV presenter and former rugby player
- Tom Schnackenberg – sailor and yacht designer
- Omar Slaimankhel – rugby league player
- Benson Stanley – All Blacks player
- Jeremy Stanley – All Blacks player
- Winston Stanley – Manu Samoa rugby player
- Kel Tremain – All Blacks player
- Sam Webster – track cyclist
- Alan Whetton – All Blacks player
- Gary Whetton – All Blacks player
- Wilson Whineray – All Blacks player
Notable Staff at Auckland Grammar
These are some well-known people who have worked at Auckland Grammar School:
- Ian Billcliff – cricketer, teacher
- Kris Bright – footballer, director of football
- Henry Cooper – educator, 8th headmaster
- John Graham – former rugby player, educator, 9th headmaster
- Duncan Grant – former rower, former mathematics teacher
- Graham Henry – former teacher and rugby coach (including the All Blacks)
- John Morris – former footballer, educator, 10th headmaster
- Willie Rickards – former rugby coach and player, teacher
- Lindsay Tait – former professional basketball player, director of basketball
See Also
In Spanish: Auckland Grammar School para niños
